Three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo thinks Geelong might need to take one step back in order to progress forward.
The Cats were eliminated from the finals series after their 29-point loss to Melbourne last Friday, making the club’s September record an unimpressive 3-9 since the 2011 Grand Final.
According to Dal Santo, Geelong coach Chris Scott may need to search for creative ways to adjust his list heading into 2019.
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“Are you prepared to go backwards to cull some of that middle band that just isn’t getting the job done, it’s not going to take you to the next level of winning the flag,” Dal Santo told SEN Afternoons.
“Go backwards a little bit, regroup, rebuild, bolster that next group coming through and then go again.
“I didn’t think the Cats could win it this year, I just didn’t see enough consistency.”
Listen to Nick Dal Santo’s chat with Andy Maher on SEN Afternoons in the player below
While Dal Santo has faith Geelong won’t experience a free-fall down the ladder, he ponders whether they have enough ammunition to become flag contenders again.
“They’ll be around the mark, they’ll play finals, they’ll beat a lot of teams,” he said.
“You go, I’m not sure, but then you go, no no, I’ve still got confidence and reliance in those top four or five at the Cats to get the job done.
“Ultimately, does it get them across the line when it really matters…I would say no.”
Champion St Kilda defender Danny Frawley also thinks it’s time for the Cats to rejuvenate their playing stocks.
“Geelong’s underbelly was exposed (on Friday night),” he said.
“I’m not sure where they go now. They probably got to keep topping up with guys like Luke Dahlhaus, but they need to get some youth into that team really quickly.”
Listen to Danny Frawley’s chat with Andy Maher on SEN Afternoons in the player below